Try for Free
tab list
Picture Insect
English
arrow
English
繁體中文
日本語
Español
Français
Deutsch
Pусский
Português
Italiano
한국어
Nederlands
العربية
Home Application Download FAQ
English
English
繁體中文
日本語
Español
Français
Deutsch
Pусский
Português
Italiano
한국어
Nederlands
العربية
Icon about
About
Icon about
General Info
Icon about
Search Tips
Icon about
Harmful or Not
Icon about
Harmful Effects
Icon about
Common FAQs
Icon about
Popular Insects
Odontotermes formosanus

Odontotermes formosanus

Odontotermes formosanus

A species of Odontotermes

Odontotermes formosanus is a species of fungus-growing termite in the family Termitidae. It is native to southeastern Asia and was first described from Taiwan (then called Formosa). This termite cultivates a symbiotic fungus in a special chamber in the nest. Workers and soldiers gather vegetable detritus which they bring back to the colony, chewing the material to a pulp to make a suitable substrate on which to grow the fungus.

General Info About Odontotermes formosanus
Instantly identify insects with a snap
Snap a photo for instant insect ID and risk assessment, gaining quick insights on bite assessment, toxicity, pest control, behavior, habitat, and safe interaction tips, etc.
Download the App for Free
Rectangle
Attributes of Odontotermes formosanus
Colors
Brown
Orange
Habitat
Odontotermes formosanus has a widespread distribution in southeastern Asia, its range including Japan, Taiwan, China, Vietnam, Thailand, Myanmar and India. It is a common subterranean species and is a pest of forests, plantations and crops. It also forms nests in earthen dams, and can cause dams and dykes to collapse, as well as doing damage to the pipework. It should not be confused with the worldwide invasive species Coptotermes formosanus.
Adult Food Sources
Decomposing plant material, wood, leaf litter, soil organic compounds, mutualistic fungi
Larva Food Source
Decayed wood, plant cellulose, organic matter in soil, fungal spores, lignocellulose materials
Biting/stinging
Not reported
Allergy-causing
Not reported
Defensive attack
Not reported
Venomous
Not reported
Non-poisonous
Not reported
Predatory
Not reported
Biting animal or pet
Not reported
Mouthparts Type
Chewing mouthparts
qrcode
Img download isoImg download android
Rectangle
Species Status of Odontotermes formosanus
Widespread southeastern Asia
Rectangle
Distribution Area of Odontotermes formosanus
China
Rectangle
Life Cycle of Odontotermes formosanus
Egg Eggs are typically oval and of a milky-white hue. The protective casing encloses the developing embryo. Size is minute, and there's no mobility or differentiation in features.
Nymph After hatching, the nymphs resemble small adults but lack fully developed wings and reproductive structures. They molt several times, gradually increasing in size and maturity.
Adult The adult odontotermes formosanus showcases a hardened exoskeleton with wings and functional reproductive organs. Colors vary from nymph stages, signaling sexual maturity. They are active and prioritize reproduction.
Rectangle
Predators of Odontotermes formosanus Larvae
Ants, beetles, birds, centipedes, mammals, nematodes, spiders
Rectangle
Predators of Adult Odontotermes formosanus
Ants, bats, birds, centipedes, frogs, lizards, mammals, spiders
Rectangle
Scientific Classification of Odontotermes formosanus
Tips for Finding Odontotermes formosanus
Your ultimate guide to understanding insects
Unlock the secrets of insect life cycles, habitats, behaviors and observation tips!!
Download the App for Free
Rectangle
Youth Habitat of Odontotermes formosanus
Rotting and Decaying Matter, On and Within Other Organisms (Parasitic and Symbiotic Relationships)
Rectangle
Adult Habitat of Odontotermes formosanus
Rotting and Decaying Matter, On and Within Other Organisms (Parasitic and Symbiotic Relationships)
Are Odontotermes formosanus harmful?
Your Complete Pest Control Guide
Discover effective tips for preventing and eliminating pest infestations to keep bugs away from your home.
Download the App for Free
Harmful Effects of Odontotermes formosanus
Reveal the harmful impacts of diverse insects
Explore the dangers of insects related to toxicity, lethality, human biting, human stinging, pathogenicity, hematophagy, allergenicity, parasitism, etc.
Download the App for Free
Rectangle
Structural Pests

The 'odontotermes formosanus' severely damages wooden structures in homes during both its adult and nymph stages, making it a significant structural pest. It undermines the integrity of building materials, leading to costly repairs or replacement, and poses a safety risk by weakening support structures, causing trouble and potential danger for residents.

Rectangle
Hurt Plant

Odontotermes formosanus can cause a range of damage from mild to severe. These insects feed and nest within plant tissues, impacting roots, stems, and leaves indiscriminately. Compromised structural integrity and reduced vitality are often observed in affected plants.

More Effects of Odontotermes formosanus

Common Questions People Also Ask
Get Quick Insect Answers with a Snap
Snap a photo for instant insect ID and answers on bites, toxicity, pest control, behavior, habitat, and safety tips!
Download the App for Free
Other Popular Insects
Western honey bee
Western honey bee

Western honey bee(Apis mellifera) is the most common species of honeybee in the world. Among the first domesticated insects, its cultural and economic impact on humanity has been vast and far-reaching, providing honey, wax and its services as a pollinator. Western honey bee faces challenges worldwide, such as colony collapse disorder, and populations are thought to be decreasing.

Read More
Arrow
Monarch butterfly
Monarch butterfly

The monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus) is the most recognizable butterfly in North America. It is best known for its appearance, but should be better known for the fact that it has a 3000-mile migration that takes the butterfly 4 generations to complete. Their diet is also a natural deterrent for predators, as they eat milkweed, a poison that induces vomiting.

Read More
Arrow
Japanese rhinoceros beetle
Japanese rhinoceros beetle

The japanese rhinoceros beetle (Trypoxylus dichotomus) is a massive beetle about the size of the palm of a hand. It's distinguished by its long Y-shaped horn, which it uses to fight other males with. It's a nocturnal bug that feeds on sap and sweet fruits. This species is sometimes kept as a pet due to its unique appearance and simple care requirements.

Read More
Arrow
Silkworm
Silkworm

The silken threads produced by silkworm during its larval stage have been highly coveted for millennia, manifesting as a luxurious fabric in human society. Remarkably, this creature has a singular diet, feeding exclusively on the leaves of its primary host plant from which it extracts the necessary nutrients to facilitate its transition into a non-feeding, winged adult.

Read More
Arrow
Menelaus blue morpho
Menelaus blue morpho

Menelaus blue morpho (Morpho menelaus) is a gorgeous butterfly with large, royal blue wings. Linnaeus named the genus Morpho the Aphrodite-Ancient Greek goddess of love and beauty for its extreme beauty. It is native to tropical rainforests. Though many butterfly gardens now cultivate them in captivity, there are still many people who never get a chance to see them.

Read More
Arrow
Atlas moth
Atlas moth

While the atlas moth (Attacus atlas) can't tell you where to find your country on the map, it does earn its name through other means. It is one of the largest moths in the world, with a wingspan that is far larger than its body, creating an abnormal comparison. In India, their silk is gathered in a non-commercial capacity and is considered to be more durable than the domestic silkworm.

Read More
Arrow
Flying peacock spider
Flying peacock spider

Both sexes reach about 5 mm in body length. Females and immatures of both sexes are brown but have color patterns by which they can be distinguished from related species. Also, the males dance to attract females.

Read More
Arrow
Multicolored asian ladybeetle
Multicolored asian ladybeetle

Often confused for the ladybug, multicolored asian ladybeetle (Harmonia axyridis) is a separate species that, unlike the ladybug, is a household pest. It is considered particularly annoying for its habit of returning to places from which it is removed. One of the most variable species in the world, there are many different colors and patterns multicolored asian ladybeetle may display, making identification potentially difficult.

Read More
Arrow